PEI Green Caucus

08/29/2026

Statement from Green Party of Prince Edward Island Leader Matt MacFarlane on Government's Tariff Action Plan:

On Friday the PC government released its Tariff Action Plan. There are a number of good first steps in this plan to help our local businesses weather this unpredictable storm. However, I believe that government shouldn’t just stop there. This is an opportunity to improve conditions in our province for local businesses, workers, and all Islanders, and we should take full advantage of that. This trade war is a threat, but it's also a rare opportunity to fix the things that have been holding Island businesses back for years and make PEI more competitive.

Local Procurement Long Overdue

The plan mentions "new local procurement policies" as a next step, with no details, no timeline, and no legislation. The Green Caucus has been calling for procurement legislation for years – PEI remains the only province in Canada without procurement of services legislation. Local procurement keeps Island tax dollars circulating in the Island economy and employs more Islanders. This is not a hard call and it’s long overdue.

No Accountability or Measurable Targets

The plan also contains no mention of targets or accountability with results. Islanders are being told 80% of our exports currently go to the United States, but there is no indication what trade targets government is aiming for in the coming months and year. Without defined targets, "diversifying trade" is a slogan, not a strategy, and that makes it difficult for Islanders to hold government accountable for the promises it is making.

No Details On Trade Missions

The plan indicates government completed 46 trade missions, involving 186 businesses, across three continents. That's a lot of travel. What isn’t clear in this action plan is what these missions actually bought us. How many new deals were signed? How many million dollars in exports moved from the U.S. to new markets? If we're going to keep sending Island businesses and PC Cabinet Ministers around the world on the public dime, Islanders deserve targets set in advance and results published afterwards.

No Energy Plan, No Plan for Affordability

Islanders have been asking for relief on power costs for years, and this trade war has made that need more urgent. If we're serious about competitiveness and trying to make life more affordable, government should be indexing our tax brackets to inflation, we should be reforming Maritime Electric so costs actually come down instead of ratcheting up, and we should be aligning our gas pricing with the rest of the Maritimes. These aren't new ideas. They're the same asks Island businesses and residents have made for years, and this is the moment to finally act on them.

Islanders don't just need a government that helps them survive this trade war. They need one that uses it to build a stronger, more self-reliant Island economy. That's the plan Islanders deserve, and it's not the one government delivered.

Matt MacFarlane
MLA Borden-Kinkora
Leader of the Green Party of PEI

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 29, 2026 Statement from Green Leader Matt MacFarlane on Government’s Tariff Action Plan Charlottetown, PE – On Friday the PC government released its Tariff Action Plan. There are a number of good first steps in this plan to help our local businesses weather this unpr...

08/28/2026

IRAC's public hearing on Maritime Electric's application to purchase two used diesel generators for over $350 million took place this week. Green Energy Critic MLA Peter Bevan-Baker presented on behalf of Islanders and advocated strongly against this costly and unreliable purchase.

The Maritime Electric application before IRAC does not represent the best value for money, it is not the best investment in our grid, it does not align with our province’s climate and environmental goals, and finally, it is designed to benefit Maritime Electric, not Islanders.

The Green Caucus continues to call on all elected officials to stand up for Islanders to ensure that we get a reliable grid that we can afford.

08/27/2026

RELEASE: Green Caucus Announces New Critic Roles as it Welcomes MLA for District 16 Cornwall-Meadowbank Tayte Willows

Today the Green caucus announced new critic roles as it officially welcomes MLA for District 16 Cornwall-Meadowbank Tayte Willows to the caucus.

“We are thrilled to have MLA Tayte Willows join our team! Tayte is a strong voice for her community who will bring forward the concerns and ideas of people in District 16. Tayte also has extensive experience working in our healthcare system. As the Green Caucus’ new Health Critic, Tayte will work to improve Islanders’ access to healthcare across the province,” said Green Leader Matt MacFarlane.

Leader of the Third Party Matt MacFarlane will serve as critic for:
- Agriculture
- Fisheries, Rural Development and Tourism
- Justice and Public Safety
- Intergovernmental Affairs

Third Party House Leader Peter Bevan-Baker will serve as critic for:
- Housing and Communities
- Finance and Affordability
- Land and Environment
- Transportation, Infrastructure and Energy

Third Party Whip Karla Bernard will serve as critic for:
- Education and Early Years
- Social Development and Seniors
- Acadian and Francophone Affairs
- Indigenous Relations

Tayte Willows, MLA for District 16 Cornwall-Meadowbank will serve as critic for:
- Health and Wellness
- Status of Women
- Workforce and Advanced Learning
- Economic Development, Trade and Artificial Intelligence

“A growing Green caucus means an even stronger opposition in the Legislature that will continue to hold Premier Lantz and his government accountable, and bring forward positive solutions for all Islanders,” said MacFarlane.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 27, 2026 Green Caucus Announces New Critic Roles as it Welcomes MLA for District 16 Cornwall-Meadowbank Tayte Willows Charlottetown, PE – Today the Green caucus announced new critic roles as it officially welcomes MLA for District 16 Cornwall-Meadowbank Tayte Willows t...

08/26/2026

Today Tayte Willows, MLA for District 16 Cornwall-Meadowbank was officially sworn in as the newest MLA in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island. Congratulations and welcome to the PEI Green Caucus, Tayte!

08/24/2026

Statement from Matt MacFarlane: Trade breakdown with the US presents economic opportunity for PEI energy sector

Canada continues to face serious challenges and adversities with our largest trading partner the United States. At a moment like this, I’m proud to see Islanders, Canadians and political parties looking for ways to come together, build our economy and strengthen our country.

PEI may be small, but we can play a big role in solving some of Canada’s largest challenges. One of our greatest opportunities is right in front of us: our electricity grid.

We are at a critical moment for PEI’s energy future. Instead of spending hundreds of millions of dollars locking Islanders into more fossil-fuel generation, we should be asking what that investment could do to modernize our grid, build battery storage and create room for more clean, renewable energy.

For perspective, $350 million is the amount currently being considered to buy two used 50 MW diesel turbines from a US company. Instead we could purchase roughly 100 MW battery storage for as little as $110 million.

That matters because batteries aren’t just a way to store electricity. They can help make a grid with more renewable energy work better. They can store power when supply is high and provide it when demand is high, making it easier to integrate new wind, solar and other renewable generation.

Batteries can also be distributed around the Island and connected to current and new renewable energy source locations which decreases electricity loss over long distance transmission. Locally placed batteries also allow more communities to stay powered – if one goes down the others stay up

We're already seeing the benefits of batteries being taken advantage of in several other provinces. Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator recently awarded 640 MW of new generation across 14 projects – its first major procurement of new generation in more than a decade. Every one of these 14 projects paired renewable generation with battery storage.

PEI should be seriously looking at what we can learn from that model.

And we shouldn’t look at this as a PEI issue alone. This is an Atlantic Canadian opportunity.

New Brunswick brings transmission and energy expertise. Nova Scotia has major energy and industrial capacity. PEI can contribute renewable energy, agricultural innovation, opportunities to integrate energy with agriculture, and a manageable scale for testing and demonstrating new technologies.

We shouldn’t sit back and wait for Ottawa to design a program that happens to fit PEI.

We should put PEI-made ideas on the table and ask Canada to invest with us.

If we’re going to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in our energy system, Islanders deserve to know that we’re getting the greatest possible value; lower long-term costs, greater energy security, more renewable power and an opportunity to build new economic capacity here at home.

Now is the time to work with our Atlantic neighbours, think bigger than our borders and make the case for PEI.

We can build a stronger grid, a stronger Atlantic economy and a stronger Canada, and PEI can be part of leading that work.

Matt MacFarlane
MLA Borden-Kinkora
Leader of the Green Party of Prince Edward Island

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 24, 2026 Statement from Matt MacFarlane: Trade breakdown with the US presents economic opportunity for PEI energy sector Charlottetown, PE – Canada continues to face serious challenges and adversities with our largest trading partner the United States. At a moment like...

08/19/2026

Statement from the PEI Green Caucus: Islanders need leadership for our energy future

Next week, Prince Edward Island is facing one of the biggest energy decisions in decades, and Islanders deserve to have a voice in it. Maritime Electric currently has a proposal in to the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission (IRAC) looking for approval to purchase two 50 megawatt used diesel Combustion Turbines at a cost of over $350 million. That cost will be passed on to Island ratepayers through rate increases.

Every Islander with a power bill has a stake in this decision — but Premier Lantz and his government have remained silent. The Green Party is the only political party on PEI standing up for Islanders on these decisions that will impact our energy future for generations to come.

We have a singular goal — that Islanders have the best possible economic and environmental outcome, both present and future.

And expert conclusions are crystal clear: the Maritime Electric application before IRAC does not represent the best value for money, is not the best investment in our grid, does not align with our province’s climate and environmental goals, and finally, is designed to benefit Maritime Electric, not Islanders.

The need to invest in a modern, reliable grid is real. But the solutions Maritime Electric has presented don’t prioritize fiscal responsibility and long-term planning. Experts have been clear that a combination of battery storage and renewal energy options as well as formal collaboration with our neighbouring provinces is the best and cheapest way for Islanders to have long-term reliable access to energy.

Just last month, Premier Lantz signed a Memorandum of Understanding with our neighbouring Maritime provinces to begin a collaborative approach to energy generation and distribution. The Premier and his Minister should ensure that the importance and potential benefit of this new relationship not be hindered by a decision made in haste behind closed doors.

The Green Caucus is calling on all elected officials to stand up for Islanders to ensure that we get a reliable grid that we can afford.

A decision like the one before IRAC where the ratepayers of this province have no advocate is simply wrong. The Green caucus will always be ready to represent the best interests of Islanders.

Matt MacFarlane, MLA Borden-Kinkora and Leader of the Green Party of Prince Edward Island
Peter Bevan-Baker, MLA New Haven-Rocky Point
Karla Bernard, MLA Charlottetown-Victoria Park
Tayte Willows, MLA for District 16 Cornwall-Meadowbank

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 19, 2026 Statement from the Green Caucus: Islanders need leadership for our energy future Charlottetown, PE – Next week, Prince Edward Island is facing one of the biggest energy decisions in decades, and Islanders deserve to have a voice in it. Maritime Electric curren...

08/17/2026

Want to connect with your MLA? Open office hours are on Monday mornings from 10am - 12pm at the Cornwall Town Hall. Feel free to drop in or to reach out for an appointment.

07/17/2026

A productive first caucus meeting with Tayte Willows for Cornwall-Meadowbank!

Today was my first caucus meeting with the Opposition Green Caucus of Prince Edward Island !

07/02/2026

RELEASE: Green Party announces new legislation to ban the use of predatory pricing in grocery stores and other retail

Today Green Leader Matt MacFarlane announced new legislation that will make it illegal for retailers, both in-store and online, to use personal data or algorithmic systems to charge different prices to different customers for the same product.

“Grocery prices are already high enough. But now, some companies may be using personal data to charge different prices for the exact same item. That’s wrong and it’s costing Islanders more at the checkout,” said MacFarlane. “We’re bringing forward legislation to ban this type of predatory pricing. It’s about protecting Islander’s data and saving people money on groceries and other essential items.”

The legislation, which will be introduced in the upcoming fall sitting, addresses growing concerns that companies are moving forward with using artificial intelligence and personal data to charge different people different prices for the same essential goods. This means two neighbours could pay different prices for the exact same cart of groceries, not because of supply and demand, but because of data and algorithms. This raises serious concerns about fairness, transparency, and affordability for Islanders.

This practice is already happening in online marketplaces, and it’s evolving quickly. With artificial intelligence advancing at such a rapid pace, it’s becoming easier for companies to use personal data, habits, location, and spending to quietly adjust the prices you see. Most people would never even know it’s happening.

“PEI has a choice: wait until this becomes widespread and harder to control, or act now to make sure people are protected," said MacFarlane. “This bill is about fairness – if two people buy the same item, they should pay the same price. Plain and simple. The Green Party of PEI believes Islanders deserve fair prices, transparency, and protection from practices like this.”

MacFarlane will be conducting consultations on the proposed legislation over the summer.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 2, 2026 Green Party announces new legislation to ban the use of predatory pricing in grocery stores and other retail Charlottetown, PE – Today Green Leader Matt MacFarlane announced new legislation that will make it illegal for retailers, both in-store and online, to use...

05/29/2026

Spring sitting ends with Greens bringing real solutions while PC government spends recklessly with no benefit to Islanders:

The spring sitting of the legislature ended today with the Lantz government using its majority to pass the largest budget in our province’s history – one with a projected deficit of $410 million.

During the 10 week sitting, the Green caucus stood up for Islanders, held government accountable, and put forward real, positive solutions in healthcare, electricity, affordability, education and housing. These solutions include:

- A bill to remove the sick notes requirement - something doctors tell us will reduce their administrative burden and would allow them to spend more time with patients. Government ignored healthcare workers and voted it down.
- A bill to modernize our electricity system and force Maritime Electric to be accountable, reliable and affordable. Government sided with Maritime Electric and voted it down.
- Passed a bill to rein in the PC’s reckless spending of public money by ensuring special warrants are only used in urgent circumstances.
- Called on government to dismantle IRAC to remove the political patronage and make it more transparent and more accountable to Islanders by developing targeted commissions to oversee the Lands Protection Act, Energy regulations and other responsibilities currently housed with IRAC.
- Passed a motion to establish a satellite menopause centre on PEI
- Passed a motion to track school absences related to bullying.

“This sitting showed Islanders that this government is more concerned with keeping power and using that power to help themselves than it is with making changes that benefit everyday Islanders,” said Matt MacFarlane, Leader of the Green Party of PEI. “When solutions were brought forward by our caucus on electricity costs, gas prices, IRAC, improving school safety and increasing healthcare access for Islanders, Premier Lantz’s response was to kick the can down the road and delay taking action.”

“Islanders elect a government to make decisions, not commission reviews," said MacFarlane. “It’s time for a new government – one that listens to Islanders, takes their concerns seriously, and then puts those ideas in action.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 29, 2026 Spring sitting ends with Greens bringing real solutions while PC government spends recklessly with no benefit to Islanders Charlottetown, PE – The spring sitting of the legislature ended today with the Lantz government using its majority to pass the largest budge...